Day 2 Japan Trip, Part 2

Ok, we left off with Manami trying to take all my money and not giving Rin any food.

 

After going back to the apartment for a rest, we ventured back out onto the streets to waste time while waiting for more stores to open. So the following pics are just random areas and streets that I found interesting. Like these cow colored traffic cones.

 

DSC_0106 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0107 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Double decker bike storage.

 

DSC_0108 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Since space is at a premium, they put buildings anywhere they can. Just check out that skinny JR one.

 

DSC_0109 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0110 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Buncha goofballs...

 

DSC_0112 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

I love that picture of the surfing salary man with a beer in one hand.

 

DSC_0114 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Even construction zones here are adorable.

 

DSC_0115 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0119 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Tiny little cigarettes!

 

DSC_0116 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0117 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Watch out for the low ceilings...

 

DSC_0121 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

How low? THIS low.

 

DSC_0122 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Double decker car parking!

 

DSC_0124 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0129 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

This gas station looks familiar....

 

DSC_0125 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Cute sakura themed bus.

 

DSC_0126 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Down the side of a building at the river.

 

DSC_0128 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Ok! Time to do some shopping! Wait, it's only 10am and half the stores aren't open yet? Dammit!

 

DSC_0130 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

No, we did NOT go there to eat. XD

 

DSC_0132 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

A cool looking bridge.

 

DSC_0134 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0136 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Almost as common as vending machines, shrines too are tucked into every nook and cranny.

 

DSC_0137 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Another themed café, this one reminded me of Monster High girls.

 

DSC_0138 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Ninja girls café! Too bad they hid it so well, we couldn't find it. LOL

 

DSC_0139 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

It's hard to see but up in the center window is a sign that says "Fetish World". Why's that funny? They're using the logo from "Jurassic World" but instead of T-Rex bones, they use a pair of black stiletto heels.

 

DSC_0140 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Sneak peek inside a conbini! They don't like pictures being taken so I had to take them on the sly.

 

DSC_0141 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0142 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

I love how all those wires are hanging up there. It's like we're in a live action anime!

 

DSC_0144 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Some say that The Stig had to sell off his helmet after Top Gear changed hosts....

 

DSC_0145 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Others say The Stig now races Initial D radio controlled cars in black market races.

 

DSC_0146 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

I wanted to visit the swimsuit café but Becca said no.

 

DSC_0147 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

How about baseball girls then?

 

DSC_0148 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Shops off the beaten path. We found an original Saber Alter version 1 inside a case in a toy train store! She was marked too high tho so she didn't come home with me.

 

DSC_0149 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

How this guy parked that van in that tiny little alley is beyond me.

 

DSC_0150 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Inside a camera shop. If you could name it, they probably had it. That place was stacked floor to ceiling with cameras and lenses.

 

DSC_0152 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Speaking of small alleys....

 

DSC_0153 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

More crazy parking jobs.

 

DSC_0156 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Some stores finally opened up like this all gashapon store.

 

DSC_0157 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0158 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0159 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Inside a DVD store.

 

DSC_0160 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Maricars! This is the company that we were going to go drive with. It seems that 2 weeks before we came, Nintendo hit them with a lawsuit and we were afraid we couldn't go driving. Oddly enuff, Nintendo LOST the lawsuit so we got to go!

 

DSC_0161 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Me and the Col.

 

DSC_0164 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

At 11am, things are picking up and more people are around.

 

DSC_0165 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Personally I don't think this sign says "Come eat our wonderful beef." It says "This guy thinks our meat is disgusting!"

 

DSC_0166 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We saw the most random cars out here! A nice McLaren was parked just down from Mandarake.

 

DSC_0167 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0168 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Some shots from the Transformer aisle inside Mandarake. I had soooo many of these ( the US versions of course ) as a kid! It was awesome seeing them all again.

 

DSC_0169 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0170 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Lunchtime! I got KATSUDOOM! Ok, it's really normal Katsudon with rice and egg but man it was good.

 

DSC_0171 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

A model of the new Shin Godzilla. He was on the 3rd floor of the new Radio Kaikan building. We went in there to find dollie goodies!

 

DSC_0172 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

And we definitely found loads of doll stuffs! First up was the Azone store. It was stuffed with awesome things including dolls, clothing and accessories. I spent over $500 there getting clothes for my Pure Neemos and 40cm and 50cm girls.

 

Here's a bunch of photos of their displays. Oddly enuff you are allowed to take pics of their displays, just not their sales areas or stock. Whatever, I took pics!

 

DSC_0173 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0174 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0175 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0176 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0177 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

They even had some VMF50 girls in there for sale! Clothing and shoes too.

 

DSC_0178 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0179 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0180 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0181 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0182 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

They had some beautiful 60cm girls and outfits.

 

DSC_0183 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0184 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0185 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

They had some cool gashapon machines, one of which had Azone panties in them! 500 yen would get you some cute panties that fit either 50 or 60cm girls. They had one for the Pure Neemo sized girls too.

 

DSC_0186 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0187 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

There were a bunch of the licensed character dolls just outside the store in displays.

 

DSC_0188 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

This one is for Poofie.

 

DSC_0189 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

And on the next floor up, our Nirvana.... Volks Akihabara Doll Point! This was the only photo I could take there but let me tell you, they had so many adorable girls in there on display! I wanted to take a ton of pics but I also didn't want to get asked to leave before I could buy anything.

 

DSC_0190 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We shopped for hours and then went to drop off our loot at the apt. Afterwards we ventured out to see everything lit up in the dark.

 

DSC_0191 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Even the cars were lit up!

 

DSC_0192 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0193 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0194 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0195 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0196 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Inside one of the large Sofmap stores. That was one HUGE display of Stormtroopers!

 

DSC_0197 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Square Enix area in Sofmap.

 

DSC_0198 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Godzilla hawking his new movie.

 

DSC_0199 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0200 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_0201 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

That's it! More to come later for day 3! Thank you for looking!

 

 

 

Billy

Heh, thanks for the shoutout! XD (Actually, I hadn't realized Akuma Homura had a different eye color from normal Homura. Huh.)

 

Seriously looks like this trip was epic. Consider me envious!

You're making me want to go even more!

So much fun and it's only day 2, I'm getting jealous!

 

Lunchtime! I got KATSUDOOM! Ok, it's really normal Katsudon with rice and egg but man it was good.

 

DSC_0171 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

KATSUDOOM! Did you watch Hataraku Maou-sama/The Devil is a Part-timer or is it just normal to call Katsudon that lololol Either way it does look good!

 

Thanks for all of the pics inside the Azone label shop! I see they still have the Moka wearing a frilly bra + white skirt coordinated outfit on display... She really left an impression on me when I went last year. xD I like how they have Mirei and other newer girls on display too! I can't wait to see all the presents you got your 40-50cm girls! (You will share pics eventually right..?) They must be ecstatic to get more clothes.

 

It's too bad that you couldn't take more pictures inside Volks. But didn't you use the photo spaces? Or was that on a different day? I'd REALLY like to see how that turned out.

Wow, the Azone shop and Volks Doll Point look like heaven. Everything inside looks so cute!

I was surprised by the leftmost VMF50 girl in the first shot of them because of how ladylike she looks. Her dress is very pretty.

All the wires overhead remind me of Serial Experiments Lain--was that the anime you were thinking of, too?

I was curious at the disgusted beef guy so I looked up the word in a dictionary--it seems to be a slang verb for eating, also meaning to receive a blow. Doesn't quite explain why he looks so repulsed though!

OH I love this kind of post. Thank you for sharing

Heh, thanks for the shoutout! XD (Actually, I hadn't realized Akuma Homura had a different eye color from normal Homura. Huh.) Seriously looks like this trip was epic. Consider me envious!

 

Poofie, I was thinking of you A LOT on this trip for one reason.... there was SO MUCH swag with Nanoha and Fate on it! And it was all CHEAP! Seriously, most things we saw with them on it were on sale or discounted.... I bought a set of Nendo Petites of them in beach outfits with a floatie and beach ball for $9!! And it was new in the box! There were figures everywhere for cheap and we even saw plenty of non figure stuff too like towels, pillows etc. You would have been able to buy a ton of stuff and not spend nearly as much money as you would on newer character goods. It made me a little sad to see so much of those two going for so little.... I guess they just aren't as popular anymore.

 

You're making me want to go even more!

 

That's my job! I'm an enabler so watch out!

 

So much fun and it's only day 2, I'm getting jealous!

 

Thank you! Yep, there's so much more to go! I hope you like what's coming up!

 

KATSUDOOM! Did you watch Hataraku Maou-sama/The Devil is a Part-timer or is it just normal to call Katsudon that lololol Either way it does look good!

 

That's totally why I called it that! I die laughing just thinking of those two guys in the police boxes eating that stuff! XD

 

Thanks for all of the pics inside the Azone label shop! I see they still have the Moka wearing a frilly bra + white skirt coordinated outfit on display... She really left an impression on me when I went last year. xD I like how they have Mirei and other newer girls on display too!

 

You're welcome! As soon as I saw that you could take pics of their displays, I was all over it!

 

I can't wait to see all the presents you got your 40-50cm girls! (You will share pics eventually right..?) They must be ecstatic to get more clothes.

 

Oh those little girls got seriously spoiled! Each of the 4 Pure Neemo girls got their own new outfit, lots of new shoes, socks and even some undies and stockings! My 40-50cm girls got lots of clothes and shoes along with some accessories like hair clips, weapons and a cool paper umbrella.

 

It's too bad that you couldn't take more pictures inside Volks. But didn't you use the photo spaces? Or was that on a different day? I'd REALLY like to see how that turned out.

 

Yeah, they are super strict about not taking pics inside the stores. I did manage to get ONE photo of their display of different Saber girls including the new Santa version. I got that when we were doing pics in the photo space. I will definitely share those pics once they come up, that'll be next week probably. I'm glad you want to see them! I think they turned out nicely..... and pretty funny too.

 

 

 

Billy

Wow, the Azone shop and Volks Doll Point look like heaven. Everything inside looks so cute! I was surprised by the leftmost VMF50 girl in the first shot of them because of how ladylike she looks. Her dress is very pretty.

 

I'm glad you liked the pics! All the VMF girls were really nicely dressed and not made up like sexed up vixens.... it was really nice to see them like that.

 

All the wires overhead remind me of Serial Experiments Lain--was that the anime you were thinking of, too?

 

Heh, that's one of them but almost any anime you see that's a slice of life style will do shots of alleys and streets and they all look exactly like this. That's why I think it's so cool to see them in real life.

 

I was curious at the disgusted beef guy so I looked up the word in a dictionary--it seems to be a slang verb for eating, also meaning to receive a blow. Doesn't quite explain why he looks so repulsed though!

 

Ha ha! I had no clue. maybe he looks repulsed to us but to the Japanese he looks like he really wants to chow down on that meat?

 

OH I love this kind of post. Thank you for sharing

 

Thank you! They will continue for a while so keep reading!

 

 

 

Billy

ha ha, multi-level parking is common in Manhattan too! it really confused some visiting Cali friends...

 

 

maaaaaaaaan, those doll stores look dangerous to one's wallet! So dangerous!

ha ha, multi-level parking is common in Manhattan too! it really confused some visiting Cali friends...

 

I've never seen it anywhere else but in Japan so I had no clue it was elsewhere.

 

maaaaaaaaan, those doll stores look dangerous to one's wallet! So dangerous!

 

They were VERY dangerous! Like I said, I spent about $500 at the Azone store alone.... various Volks trips ran about the same and I can't recall what my total was between From-Sen, Dollce and Dolk.

 

 

Billy

 

P.S. I found a BUNCH of stretched penny machines! Way more than I figured I would and some were super cool. More pics of them as I found them.

ha ha, multi-level parking is common in Manhattan too! it really confused some visiting Cali friends...

 

I've never seen it anywhere else but in Japan so I had no clue it was elsewhere.

 

i can't quite find the right photo, but here's seen from Above! Once the lot is crammed full, u kinda have no way of getting your car back 'till work day is over?

Thank you so much for sharing! These pictures are so cute and interesting Why would they ask you to leave in the Volks store, is there a policiy against taking pictures in their store? Whyever ;_;

Thank you so much for sharing! These pictures are so cute and interesting

 

Thank you!

 

Why would they ask you to leave in the Volks store, is there a policiy against taking pictures in their store? Whyever ;_;

 

Correct, they have a very strict no photos rule in all of their stores. They aren't the only ones either. Almost every store in Akihabara you go into has no photo signs plastered all over it. It's a "thing" there for some reason and if you are caught, they WILL escort you out of the store.

 

 

Billy

gachapon sounds like so much fun

Japan is probably one of the most beautiful place ever!

Beautiful photos